Michelle Scott, PMHNP

Dr. Kotadia is a board-certified psychiatrist who completed his psychiatry residency training program at Nassau University Medical Center in Long Island, NY. After completing training, he has been practicing outpatient psychiatry and specializes in the evaluation and management of major psychiatric disorders, including depression, and anxiety. He uniquely combines his education, training, and practical experiences into specialized treatment plans. Typically, he offers this in conjunction with supportive or emotionally focused therapy in 30-minute follow-up visits. However, occasionally Dr. Kotadia may believe that additional therapy is also needed and ask that you bring a therapist into your care team to provide the best outcome. A story that Dr. Kotadia came across years back still inspires him each day. A man was taking a morning walk at the beach. He saw that along with the morning tide, came hundreds of starfish. When the tide receded, the starfish were left behind and would die in the morning sun. While the tide was fresh, and the starfish were alive, the man took a few steps, picked one up and threw it into the water and continued throwing starfish back into the ocean. Behind him was a stranger who couldn't understand what this man was doing. He caught up with him and asked, "What are you doing? There are hundreds of starfish. How many can you help? What difference does it make?” The man did not reply, rather he took two more steps, picked up another one, threw it into the water, and said, "It makes a difference to this one.”With this story as his motivation and ultimate objective, it has always been Dr. Kotadia's goal, with each patient, to provide superior services.

Dr. Scot McKay is board certified in Psychiatry and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry. He graduated medical school from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC. He completed his residency and child/adolescent fellowship trainings at the University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Center in Denver, CO. Previously, he has worked on the inpatient and partial hospitalization child/adolescent psychiatric units at Children's Hospital Colorado as well as in the school-based health clinics through Denver Health in partnership with Denver Public Schools. He has also worked in community mental health at the Mental Health Cooperative clinics throughout the Middle Tennessee region. He most recently joined a private practice before joining Talkiatry. He has been named to the Nashville Lifestyles Magazine's Top Doctors list in 2022, 2023, and 2024. He is a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and a member of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. McKay enjoys working with patients going through life transitions such as high school to college and college to adult life. He believes it is important to understand the whole person (mind, body, and spirit) when treating them. He treats people struggling with depression, anxiety, bipolar, and ADHD, as well as trouble with relationships and family conflict. Dr. McKay provides both medication management and therapy. He believes that medication is just one of the items in a psychiatrist's toolbox and that therapy is equally important as medication.

Dr. Carrie Ramos is a compassionate and skilled adult general psychiatrist with a commitment to providing comprehensive mental health care. A native of Texas, Dr. Ramos embarked on her medical journey at the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine in New Mexico, where she obtained her medical degree. Following her passion for psychiatry, she completed her residency at HCA Florida Woodmont Hospital, honing her expertise in adult psychiatric care. Dr. Ramos brings a diverse background to her practice, having earned her Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. This foundational knowledge underscores her holistic approach to mental health, recognizing the interconnectedness of physical and emotional well-being. As a board eligible psychiatrist, Dr. Ramos is dedicated to staying current with the latest advancements in psychiatry and utilizing evidence-based treatments to support her patients. Her approach is characterized by empathy, active listening, and a commitment to fostering a therapeutic alliance with each individual under her care. With a deep-rooted passion for helping others, Dr. Ramos is driven to empower her patients on their journey toward mental wellness. Her Texas roots, coupled with her diverse educational background and clinical experiences, uniquely position her to understand and address the diverse needs of her patients. In her role as a psychiatrist, Dr. Ramos is poised to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those she serves, offering hope, healing, and support to individuals seeking guidance on their path to mental health recovery.

Diana Veliz, LCSW, obtained her MSW from Fordham University. Diana has over 3 years of experience providing client-centered therapy. Her practice is sensitive to race and culture, and trauma-informed. Diana has experience working with adults, and adolescents experiencing anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. She has worked in outpatient/inpatient clinics and in an educational setting supporting children with social emotional learning. Diana believes that the best approach is to work collaboratively with the client while also considering that each person's experience is individual to them. The client is an expert in their lives, and as a clinician, she is there to meet the client where they are at and begin the healing journey through non-judgment and compassion. Diana uses cognitive behavioral therapy, solution focused approach, and psycho-education. She also considers the client's place in society and how culture and race can contribute to challenges. Diana takes passion in working with clients to improve self-esteem, recognize schemas, regulate emotions, and develop self-awareness.

Paula Bennett, LPC, has been in practice for over 20 years. She specializes in CBT and individual therapy. Paula strives to provide a client-centered approach based on the individual's needs. Paula has a specific passion for victims of trauma. As a teen and young adult, she struggled with depression. There weren't many treatment options at that time, but she found a counselor who inspired her to help others with mental health issues. Outside of work, Paula is known to enjoy reading, swimming, and watching animals, spending time with family, and watching movies. She also loves being able to help people and watch them grow.

Dr. Zhou is a board-certified psychiatrist who has more than 4 years of experience practicing in various clinical settings with an emphasis on mental health care in outpatient settings. She practices a holistic approach to developing an individualized plan to work toward a patient's goals. Dr. Zhou is experienced in treating depression, bipolar spectrum disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety, and other related psychiatric disorders. Dr. Zhou received her medical degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine and completed her adult psychiatry residency training at LSU Health Shreveport. Dr. Zhou's background and experiences have broadened her understanding of cultural stigmas and the relationship it plays in psychiatric care. She incorporates a multitude of treatment modalities such as supportive therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness practices as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy. Dr. Zhou recognizes the value of a multifaceted approach to wellbeing and may recommend treatment modalities that are complementary to medication management.